Graffiti in Utah

Some people think that graffiti is art, but Utah law says it’s a crime, especially when you do it on someone else’s property. Graffiti is defined as any kind of unauthorized printing, writing, spraying, scratching, affixing or inscribing on any person’s property, regardless of the nature of or reason behind the graffiti. The penalty varies depending on the costs involved in removing graffiti. Graffiti is a:

• Second degree felony if the damage is $5000 or more;
• Third degree felony if the damage is $1000 or more;
• Class A misdemeanor if the damage is $300 or more;
• Class B misdemeanor if the damage is less than $300.

If a person is convicted of using graffiti, as a condition of probation that person may be ordered to clean up the graffiti he made, as well as any other graffiti made by another person, at a place and time within the jurisdiction of the court. Additionally, a person convicted of using graffiti will be held financially liable for the costs associated with the repair, replacement or removal of the graffiti.

As tempting as it may be to leave your mark on some surface for all to see, think before you pull out that can of spray paint and begin your masterpiece. Unless you want to be responsible for cleaning it up and potentially cleaning up some other person’s artwork and have a criminal record, your best bet is to get yourself a real canvas from the art store. You can still express yourself artistically and stay out of a courtroom.